The Daily EO

The Daily EO: July 16th, 2013

One of my most favorite things in the world is popcorn. It is the best snack in the world, its cheap and so bloody good. And not that microwave stuff. The real stuff in a pop with real topping. I remember reading something about Madonna that when she was first trying to make it in the music business and was so totally broke, she basically lived on popcorn.

My dad had a popcorn popping pot (that was only used for such a thing) and I have a now faint scar on my wrist from burning myself on a hot pot of popcorn at my grandparent’s house. (I was trying to pull back grandpa’s arm because I thought he was being a little too piggy with the popcorn and I wanted some left for me.)

I went to Chill Winston’s a while back and they had adult popcorn on the menu – a small bowl for the $6, but it was served with Grand Padano cheese (parmesan) and pepper. I could not NOT order this.

It was good, but I knew Emile could do better.

And he did – a few nights later I got popcorn smothered I butter, pepper, salt and freshly grated parmesan. But a bit much for regular day.

July 16th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Standard popcorn fare at our house: butter, salt, sugar and pepper. Every time. Oh Yeah. Is it normal to have popcorn for dinner?

The Daily EO: July 15th, 2013

I recently decided to refresh our living room. Well…. actually that is not true. I decided to refresh my living room about 2 months ago, and only recently did something about it recently. Which was posting our existing furniture on Craig’s List. A nice young couple decided they wanted our coffee table, but didn’t have a car and asked me to deliver.

Well, considering I asked $100 for a table – ad they agreed to – that I thought I would only get $50 for, I didn’t have a problem dropping it off. It was only across downtown a bit. So, after they came to our place to see it, we agreed we’d meet at their house in half an hour. They took the bus, so we beat them there. Just for the record – we couldn’t drive them because the car was full of coffee table. We aren’t bad people!

Anyways, while we sat in our car outside their apartment in the West End (where there is no parking), we noticed a couple standing on the sidewalk eating grapes together. They looked a bit impatient but were just generally chilling eating their grapes. It seemed weird.

As we watched them a little longer, we realized they were waiting for something or someone. And then it finally dawned on us what they were doing there.

July 15th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: We aren’t on the ferry, people! Leave a little space.

The Daily EO: July 14th, 2013

I think it was the Windsor Arms Spa in Toronto where I first learned about the concept of threading for hair removal. And since that time, I will do nothing else but threading (or tweezing). And wax will come not near my skin. Can you imagine the damage you do to your skin around your eyes when you yank on it for 30 years?

Fortunately, I am generally lightly haired on the rest of my body, but like many of us, there is hairs on my upper lip that I hate. They are probably not very noticeable, but I like to get them removed. I pay someone $10 to rip them out with thread.

July 14th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Son of a Bitch. That Hurts.

The Daily EO: July 13th, 2013

You know, I try to remember there are all kinds and it takes all kinds. But I have packed and moved a lot. A Lot. So, when I am involved in a move, I get a little smug about it. I’ve learned some things:

1. Get proper packing materials – boxes, packing paper, sharpies, wardrobe boxes, packing tape, etc
2. Accept that moving day is going to suck – work from dawn to dusk and get it all done in one day. Trust me – it sucks, get it over with, do not spread it over several days.
3. Moving Day is called Moving Day not Packing Day. You don’t pack on Moving Day or Move on Packing Days.
4. Lifting heavy furniture and other items is for suckers and students. Hire people who have the proper equipment and experience
5. Label your boxes – you will not remember where you packed the egg beater

So, given that I know all of this, I am not the best person to invite to a move – unless I was involved in the packing. And you have listened to the above rules. No packing in garbage bags, no wrapping up things in newspaper, no asking me to lift your fridge down the stairs.

Fortunately when we moved my grandma today, I had been involved in the packing. As had my mother – who is even more smug and fastidious (if that is possible) – about packing than I am.

That didn’t make the day at good one, but it certainly made it easier. The movers were fantastic, the boxes were in and out quickly and she had a working suite by 6 pm that night.

July 13th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: From time of call of the suite availability until completely moved in = 37 days. (including the gnashing of the teeth about deciding to move)

The Daily EO: July 12th, 2013

I often say “pigeons are like rats with wings”. I got this aversion to birds from my mother because she has a bird phobia. There is just something about their quick movements and sharp beaks and feet that terrifies her. Rational? Probably not, but many things that we fear are not. So, growing up, somehow my mom’s phobia translated to me that birds are dirty, horrid and not pleasant. And living in urban environments with all the damn pigeons – that some people FEED! – hasn’t helped me. Though I don’t have the visceral reaction that my mom has, I don’t like being around birds.

Emile doesn’t hate birds, but doesn’t like bird droppings. Fortunately, most of the time, Emile doesn’t feed birds and encourage them to come around. After his Epic Bird Battle, the pigeons do not come around our balcony any more. And I am pleased about that.

At Easter, Emile’s mom sent us a Easter Lily planter to celebrate the season. It was lovely and bloomed on our coffee tables for several weeks. As I am a plant killer by very nature, I let Emile deal with the care and upkeep of our plants – afterall the Christmas Poinsettia was still alive.

Emile noticed the plants getting a little peaky, so decided to put them out on our balcony for a little direct sunlight and fresh air. The birds – crushed during aforementioned Epic Bird Battle – decided this was their opportunity to exact revenge for the humiliating loss.

The first day they focused their attention on the poinsettia – ignoring completely the Easter Lily. Emile was shocked that pigeons would commit such a heinous crime. But as all attention by the birds had been on the poinsettia – with complete ignoring of the lily – Emile assumed the lily was safe. Because the fresh air and sunshine was perking the plant up.

But pigeons were only taunting him.

July 12th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Revenge complete.

The Daily EO: July 11th, 2013

I was in the White Spot bathroom the other day – a favorite place to go with my grandpa for fish and chips – and “Imagine” by John Lennon was playing. I often wonder what it must have been like for him to write such a song. One simply tells a story of something that could be and whose phrases have entered our regular vocabulary. One that the first couple of notes draw you into the dream that he had.

It was a political statement for him, but also asking people to think or wonder at the possibility that life could be different. And it is generational – I know it, my mom knows it, my grandparents know it.

I wonder if John Lennon would have retained his idealistic outlook if he lived. Would he hear his anthem in a washroom and sigh and think “Not again”? Or would it have become so iconic if he hadn’t died?

Regardless – I can’t say that Imagine is my favorite song, but it always swirls up thoughts of “what it”?

July 11th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: Deep Thoughts in a Restaurant bathroom.

The Daily EO: July 10th 2013

I had a meeting with the president of our organization today because he wanted to get an update on my department. I invited my boss – who had just returned from a 2 week tropical vacation – to join us so she could get the same update.

I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit stressed lately, not getting enough exercise, nor eating right, or getting outside. Not sleeping enough, and frankly not looking my best. While the president talked to us, he looked back and forth. And eventually laughed and said “it’s funny – she’s so golden, you are well. . . not. You need to get outside!”

Hmmm.

Pasty, I guess.

July 10th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: 60 SPF sunscreen on my face on the Canada Day weekend did me no favours.

The Daily EO: July 9th, 2013

So, doing laundry tonight and I forgot to remove a couple of “hang to dry/lay flat to dry” stuff. That is always so annoying. Why do I buy these things? Oh, right – man-made materials for moisture wicking, etc. Damn.

July 9th, 2013 Extra-Ordinary: So, if I shrink my workout gear, how to I lose weight fit into it again?

So weird. .. what happened to the first week of July? Oh well.